The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-06-22
NEW cANNIBAL TRIBES.
Discoveries Of Captain Van GeIe Along the
| Great Nfobanxf River

Discoveries Of Captain Van Gele ,Along the
Great Mobangi River. g
Last fall, says the New York San, the
Congo State sent Captain Van Gele, one of
SANKEY'S fayorite officers, in the steamer
Henry Reed to make further explorations
upon the Mobsngi river, the great northern
affiuent of the Congo, whose Importance
Mr.. Grenfeli was the first to discover. Van
Gele did not ascend the river quite
as far as Grenfell, being prevented
by rapids through which Grenfell had
been able TO push his steamer at low
water when the current was slower. He,
however, took time TO explore, while Gren-
fell's Journey was nothing more than a hur-
ried reconnaissance. Van Gele made some
very interesting discoveries. He found, for
instance three little tributaries, up which he
pushed his steamer for total distance of 207
miles. 1t Is only three years since Stanley
estimated that the Mobangi itself added only
about 300 miles to the navigabie waters OF
the Congo basin. Now the problem is whether
the Mobangi or the Kassai deserves distinc-
ton as the Congo greatest tributary.
On the Nghiri affluent of the river and
also on the Mobangi, about 800 miles from
its mouth, Van Gele found the most densely
populated districtn he had seen in Africa
terrupted succession of villages for about
seventy miles. Those who imagine that the
depths of Africa are an almost voiceless soil
tude should read Van Geles brief account of
the animation and hustle he witnessed all
along this populous river.
The scene on the river in the morning, he
says, is one of extraordinary animation. He
often met as many as 800 canoes swiftly
blowing through the water. The canoes
were chiefly filled with women and children.
The women were leaving the village TO go 10
the fields and begin the agricultural labors of
the day. Other parties in the canoes were
setting out for the fish nets, to gather in the
fnny harvest that had collected since the
previous day. The river swarms with fish,
the land yields rich returns of all tropical
produce, and thousands of natives along the
river do not know what famine means.
They, have, besides, food resources upon
which most of the world cannot count, as
these natives are among the greatest of can't
balls.
Quite a number Of men accompany the
women to the fields, but not to take part in
tilling the soil. They let the women monopo-
lie the rude iron hoes. while the men stand
around with weapons In their hands TO pro-
tect the toilers Without protection there is
always dangar that the women will be sur
| prised and dragged Off by hostile tribes
| All these river tribes send expeditions
against one another for the sole purpose of
securing victims for their cannibal feasts.
Captain Van Gelesays that all the enemies
they kill in battle are eaten, and thatthe same
fatesoon overtakes the prisoners they carry
home with them. Before the exploration OF
| the Congo velley the belief was widespread
that cannibalism had greatly decreased, and
that there were comparatively few people
who were still addicted to the horrid prac-
tice. In all his travels, Livingstone never
saw cannibal tribe with the possible
exception of the Mauyema. But the opening
up OF the Congo basin has revealed the fact
that the world never knew before where
cannibalism is most prevalent. There are
undoubtedly hundreds of thousands of
people in that region among whom canni-
balism is confirmed and most cherished
habit. s9 t M Ti8
Captain Van Gele says that nowhere in
Africa has he seen fisheries of equal extent,
except at Stanley Falls. The stakes marking
the position of the nets cover many acres.
form they aresplendid specimens Of physical
| beauty.